With fuel efficiency and performance near the top of many consumer
wish lists, Ford is committed to maintaining its leadership in both
production and race vehicles with a $200 million investment in a new
complex targeting improved product technology and design

The wind tunnel complex will feature all-new rolling road aerodynamic
tunnel, an environmental simulation facility with airflow up to 200
mph; an advanced climatic chamber that gets as low as minus 40 degrees
Fahrenheit, colder than the Arctic, and as high as 140 degrees
Fahrenheit, hotter than the Sahara

Construction on the new wind tunnel complex starts this year

February 15, 2017 12:01 AM Eastern Standard Time

DEARBORN, Mich.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Consumers’ appetite for vehicles with greater fuel efficiency and
performance has led Ford to invest in a new aerodynamic testing complex
that will house a next-generation rolling road wind tunnel and
state-of-the-art climatic chamber. The new facility will come complete
with testing advancements that better match the technological
development of Ford products – both production vehicles and racing
vehicles.

The new wind tunnel complex will sit on 13 acres next to Ford’s current
Driveability Test Facility in Allen Park, Michigan. The complex will
house new innovative technology that delivers state-of-the-art
real-world driving simulations to advance improvements in fuel economy.

Construction starts this year.

Bringing the road to the vehicle

Dennis Paige, lab manager for Ford’s Driveability Testing Facilities,
points out that advanced features, development and innovation require
that testing and verification technology keep pace with the evolution of
the automobile and the industry as a whole. That’s where the new
facility comes into play.

Ford’s new wind tunnel complex better positions its engineers to conduct
testing that proves out advancements in vehicle design. A new five-belt
conveyor system can replicate real-world drag through a rolling road
aerodynamic tunnel that enables Ford to bring the road to the vehicle,
rather than the vehicle to the road.

To test for optimal fuel efficiency, each wheel gets its own belt. The
massive fifth belt runs under the center of the vehicle, allowing
airflow around the entire vehicle at speeds up to 155 mph. As a part of
the rolling road belt cartridge system, a crane will be used to switch
between the five belt and single belt systems – an industrial-sized
plug-and-play approach bringing two testing methods into one. The single
belt – which operates at up to 200 mph – opens up a new breed of testing
for high-speed performance and racing vehicles.

Wind speeds that will blow you away

Together with the rolling road, the wind tunnel complex will produce
full environmental airflow simulation, with speeds from 155 mph to 200
mph. This expanded air-flow will enable engineers to validate vehicle
designs at a higher quality and repeatability. This strengthens testing
for aerodynamic shielding, high-speed performance and other design
features.

The climatic chamber can get as low as minus 40 degrees Fahrenheit,
colder than the Arctic, and as high as 140 degrees Fahrenheit, hotter
than the Sahara.

“This new wind tunnel facility will not only allow us to test our
performance and racing vehicle line-up but will also enable us to share
innovations across all our global Ford products,” said Dave Pericak,
Ford Performance global director.

Ford
Motor Company is a global automotive and mobility company
based in Dearborn, Michigan. With about 201,000 employees and 62 plants
worldwide, the company’s core business includes designing,
manufacturing, marketing and servicing a full line of Ford cars, trucks
and SUVs, as well as Lincoln luxury vehicles. To expand its business
model, Ford is aggressively pursuing emerging opportunities with
investments in electrification, autonomy and mobility. Ford provides
financial services through Ford Motor Credit Company. For more
information regarding Ford and its products and services, please visit www.corporate.ford.com.